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Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm yells from the sideline as the Cyclones take on TCU Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State forward Darrell Bowie (10) cheers from the sideline Friday, March 10, 2017 in the final minutes of their semifinal win over TCU in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) high fives fans as the Cyclones head to the locker room Friday, March 10, 2017 following their win over TCU in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State guard Donovan Jackson (4) celebrates his three point shot Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) pumps his fist as they get the ball from TCU Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm backs up as Iowa State guard Matt Thomas (21) chases down the ball near the sideline Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

TCU head coach Jamie Dixon yells from the sideline as they take on Iowa State Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm looks on from the sideline as the Cyclones take on TCU Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State forward Solomon Young (33) gets the foul as he goes for a layup against TCU forward Vladimir Brodziansky (10) Friday, March 10, 2017 during the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Cyclone fans fill the Power & Light District Friday, March 10, 2017 at a pep rally before Iowa State takes on TCU in the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Athletic director Jamie Pollard (left) and former Iowa State quarterback Sage Rosenfels wear do-rags Friday, March 10, 2017 as they rally with a packed crowd of fans before Iowa State takes on TCU in the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Band director Steven Smyth leads the Cyclone pep band Friday, March 10, 2017 at a pep rally before Iowa State takes on TCU in the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State mascot Cy greets fans in the crowd Friday, March 10, 2017 at a pep rally before Iowa State takes on TCU in the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State mascot Cy cheers from the stage Friday, March 10, 2017 at a pep rally before Iowa State takes on TCU in the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa State president Steven Leath thanks fans for their support Friday, March 10, 2017 at a pep rally before Iowa State takes on TCU in the semifinals of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship in Kansas City. Michael Zamora/The Register

“I actually like it when they’re hard on me,” Burton said. “It gives you motivation to be better so they can’t say anything.”

Fans have had plenty to say about Burton ever since the big man made his debut with the Cyclones last season. His inconsistent play has often made him public enemy No. 1 on social media.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound redshirt senior has been a matchup nightmare for opponents one game just to follow it up with questionable shots and effort in the next. What makes Burton so unusual is how extreme his play can be.

During a game against then-No. 11 Gonzaga earlier this season, he exploded for 29 points and 12 rebounds. In Iowa State’s next game five days later, he scored just nine points.

Making changes

Burton has been intent on making a statement during his senior year. During the offseason, he threw his name into the NBA Draft ring just so he could get feedback on what he needed to work on. Burton also spent about two weeks working out in Atlanta with teammate Monte Morris.

The two hit the gym, hit the weight room and hit it off as friends.

Morris invited Burton to work out so the two could grow closer on and off the court. Burton wanted to learn more about the Iowa State point guard so their chemistry could improve in-game. During the season, they’ve roomed together on the road.

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Take a look at some of the best moments from Iowa State's 84-63 win over TCU in the Big 12 Championship semifinal in Kansas City.

Burton also worked on his bond with head coach Steve Prohm. The two's relationship got off to a rocky start as Burton, who played behind seniors Jameel McKay, Georges Niang and Abdel Nader, struggled to get consistent playing time.

Prohm and Burton had their disagreements off the court too. Burton loved to wear bright socks and shoes. Prohm was used to his players dressing alike.

So following their first season together, Prohm and Burton had a meeting. And Prohm, who got to know the rest of Burton’s family, got to understand this often-misunderstood star.

The discussion ended with the coach letting Burton express himself on the court.

“I adapted to that,” Prohm said. “My biggest thing with him was just: Give me an honest effort. Be coachable, listen, do the right things, represent the program the right away, and he’s done all that.”

The result? Burton might be playing the best basketball of his career. He’s scored 15 or more points in Iowa State’s last five games and has his team playing in Saturday’s Big 12 title game. During Friday’s game, he shot 8 of 16 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and handed out four assists.

“I think he’s been great for us all season,” said Iowa State guard Matt Thomas. “He’s embraced his role. Obviously, some nights aren’t his night and he’s OK with that. Then tonight, obviously was his night and he embraced that, too. He can go off for 20 or 30 any given night.”

Moving forward

A Big 12 title is something Burton has wanted since he came to Iowa State. The long-armed wing, who began his career at Marquette, transferred to Iowa State at the end of the first semester during the 2014-15 season. He sat out the remainder of the season and missed the start of the 2015-16 season.

As Iowa State marched its away to a Big 12 tournament title in Kansas City during the 2014-15 season, he was at home with his family in Milwaukee for his late mom’s birthday. Burton’s mother Barbara Malone had died of breast cancer before his sophomore season.

“It’d mean a lot because I came here last year and lost the first game, so I didn’t get a chance to even really feel the Big 12 atmosphere,” Burton said.

In his short time at Iowa State, Burton has come a long way. Ask his teammates.

“He grew as a person and he grew as a player just understanding he can make the game simple," said guard Naz Mitrou-Long. "As athletically gifted as he is, the way he shoots the ball, when he makes it simple, nobody can guard him. So he’s definitely grown.”

While he still shows signs of inconsistency, the hope is that those days of one extreme to the other are done.

“He was just locked in,” Morris said after Friday’s game. “And when he’s locked in and ready to go, he can do that on a night-in and night-out basis. You should expect that from here on out.”

Burton could be reshaping his legacy and what fans think of him right before out eyes.

“Deonte’s taken some crazy shots, but he’s definitely made a bunch of big ones as well,” Mitrou-Long said. “When people are looking back on this season and what’s done in his career here, they’ll definitely be able to see that.”